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Housing plans chaotic – Opposition

The comments were made after the State Government unveiled plans to develop more than 3000 housing lots last week.

Opposition planning spokeswoman Rita Saffioti said the Government must commit to vital transport infrastructure in the Swan Urban Growth Corridor as more housing developments get under way.

“WA is in desperate need of a state infrastructure strategy to guarantee taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely on priority projects,” she said.

“The State Government has received more than $400 million in revenue from developing Ellenbrook, but they continually fail to reinvest the revenue into key infrastructure servicing the northeast.”

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Opposition’s claims were wrong.

“The State Government is investing billions across a range of road, public transport, cycling and walking initiatives to help manage congestion and make it easier for everyone to get around,” he said.

“Public transport patronage forecasts for the Swan Urban Growth Corridor through to Ellenbrook do not demonstrate sufficient demand to justify a new train line in the near future.”

Located between Ellenbrook and Caversham, the growth corridor will eventually be home to more than 33,000 residents.

Housing Minister Colin Holt said the eastern corridor had been well-planned through the Department of Planning and the City of Swan.

“The Housing Authority worked extensively with both agencies in preparing for the release of the Brabham land holding, which will enable the vision for the corridor to come to life,” he said.

Ms Saffioti said the current infrastructure crisis the northeast corridor faced would worsen if thousands of new homes were built without a transport plan.

“The Liberals fail to recognise that you have to provide links to these growing communities,” she said.

“Lord Street is at breaking point and investment is needed immediately to upgrade this key link to four lanes.

“Connecting the northeastern corridor and Ellenbrook with a rail link is urgently required.”

Mr Nalder said the Government was continuing to investigate options for the northeastern suburbs.

“Clearly, both the public transport service coverage and frequency needs of residents through this corridor are being met,” he said. “However, it is acknowledged that roads such as Lord Street are experiencing heavy traffic loads.

“This is typical of any corridor that experiences rapid urban development.

“The Government continues to investigate upgrades to Lord Street with a view to providing both additional road space and efficiency for private vehicles and bus priority measures. In the meantime, the most efficient form of public transport for this corridor will remain buses and this Government is delivering in this area.”

Ms Saffioti said another Metronet forum would be held in Ellenbrook in April.